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How BIG can i go?

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Old 03-19-2006, 03:01 PM
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How BIG can i go?

Ok ive recieved my new rims and im going 19s in the back and 18s in the front...now i bought some aftermarket (ebay) drilled/slotted rotors a while back but they arent very big...prob about 10" or so in diameter at best...

i wanted to know how big can i go and what do i need to go with? Ive began researching and have found a lot of people using LS1 and corvette brakes...if this is so can you use their same aftermarket parts too? as in bigger setups for corvettes and ls1s?...basically i want something around 12.5-13" in the rotor and a nice 2-4 piston caliper...so the overall diameter being around 15-16"...

im not rich either so i cant afford $4,000 dollars for some brake setup so try to give me some economical ideas

thx a lot
Old 03-19-2006, 03:11 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
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Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
For about $1000 you can run c6 z06 stuff in front. 14" rotor, 6 piston caliper I am running these on my '87 GTA. or for about half of that you can run c5 fronts. I would not run anything smaller than that. also Willwood makes a 13" rotor 6 piston setup for 4th gens that costs about $1500.

Luke
Old 03-19-2006, 03:36 PM
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You can go too big.

Too large is pointless unless its just for looks of you are turely running a very high speed racecar (200mph) and the appropriate tires for grip to utilizes the braking heat needs.
larger is just more rotation mass and will slow the performance levels of the car in all aspects due to 1) more unsprung weight hampers handling, 2) more rotation mass (as explained above) slows acceleration, and 3) increases deceleration just like large diameter rims do since you have more rotation weight to slow. So unless you are overheating a 12" or 13" system right now, anything larger is pointless unless you want looks only.
Old 03-19-2006, 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by luke j
For about $1000 you can run c6 z06 stuff in front. 14" rotor, 6 piston caliper I am running these on my '87 GTA. or for about half of that you can run c5 fronts. I would not run anything smaller than that. also Willwood makes a 13" rotor 6 piston setup for 4th gens that costs about $1500.

Luke
You're running C6 14" brakes? Post some pics man, I'd like to see those, but (no offense) I'd like to know how you made the $1000 mark on C6 ZO6 brakes, those things ain't cheap yet..they're brand new parts.

Ed

Last edited by ebmiller88; 03-19-2006 at 07:00 PM.
Old 03-19-2006, 05:10 PM
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Me too I'm very happy with my 13" C4HD setup in the front and my 12" LS1 brakes in the back. Not sure if I would rather go C4HD or LS1 for the front though. The newer LS1 calipers are a bit smoother because they are pin-guided instead of pad-guided like the C4 stuff.
Old 03-19-2006, 08:16 PM
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im VERY interested in the z06 brakes but where did you find them for 1000 bucks...even if just for the fronts? also were they a direct install or did you have to buy those brackets that allow for bigger brakes on our cars?

thx again for everyones response
Old 03-19-2006, 10:15 PM
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It won't be a direct install, my friend, but very similar to a regular C5 seutp.

Ed
Old 03-19-2006, 10:49 PM
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so what all is involved in summary or detail i guess?...i know corvette rotors are slide on and dont have measures for studs like ours do...so far ive only found some relocating brackets and then a huge write up on replacing the spindle and highly modifying a thirdgen hub to allow a c5 setup to work

plz tell me there is a much easier way
Old 03-20-2006, 10:45 AM
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Its not highly modifying. Its cutting a tab or two off, drilling out two holes, and tapping them. Took me probably an hour and a half total actual working time on the spindles, and that's because I was using a hacksaw and a cheap Autozone tap. Use a sawzall or a die grinder and a good quality tap, and it'll take all of 30-40min.
Old 03-20-2006, 12:33 PM
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thx for the info

does anyone have exact directions by chance or a good sticky? as i said i found a site but it showed some guy completely breaking apart a third gen hub and then doing a lot of milling to get the result he wanted

if anyone could help it would be GREATLY appreciated...im thinking of just doing C5 rotors and 4 piston calipers...any additional info i might need or advice
Old 03-20-2006, 12:35 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
calipers were $235 ea, rotors are $116 ea, all brand spanking new gm stuff, I am still gathering parts, but those are my prices on stuff, I get a wholesale discount from gm for working at a ford dealership. I forgot to price the pads, but I do not want to run gm pads, I want something a little more "racey" and less "street".

I can get more of these if anyone is interested.

Luke
Old 03-20-2006, 01:32 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
BTW this is only for the fronts.
Old 03-20-2006, 01:42 PM
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im def interested but it wont be for a while so ill try to keep in contact with you on it
Old 03-20-2006, 04:33 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
cool, let me know whenever, I usually stop by this site once a day at least. or just pm me. anyone else interested? the guys with c5 corvettes are bolting these right on so I would assume they will bolt on to the c5 spindle brackets, I should have a caliper by wed the 22nd.

luke

Last edited by luke j; 03-20-2006 at 09:09 PM.
Old 03-20-2006, 04:39 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
Also, the c5 kit is way cheaper, red calipers are $130 ea, cross drilled and slotted rotors are $60 ea. plus all of the brackets and pads. I road race a lot, granted, the c6 z06 stuff might be a little overkill, but just look at it, it is awesome, plus I know I will never need any more upgrades, other than rotors.

luke

Last edited by luke j; 04-04-2006 at 08:43 PM.
Old 03-20-2006, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by luke j
For about $1000 you can run c6 z06 stuff in front. 14" rotor, 6 piston caliper I am running these on my '87 GTA....
Luke

You kinda gave the impression that you already had them installed? I also understand they are supposed to bolt right onto C5 stuff so I expect them to work fine, my only concern is matching the master cylinder volume to the calipers.

Looking forward to your pics, and I'll be in touch.

Ed
Old 03-20-2006, 09:07 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
sorry, I did not intend to mislead anyone. How about "I am in the process of doing this brake upgrade and will post pics as soon as possible." Yeah, I am just going to get them on and them worry about a m/c at that time.

Luke
Old 03-22-2006, 06:51 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
I got my caliper today, it is sweet. I just need to get the brackets made and I can mock it up. I will post pics.

Luke
Old 03-28-2006, 03:06 AM
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Car: 89 ws6 trans am
Engine: 383 supercharged
Transmission: t-56
Axle/Gears: 9 inch 3.90's spooled
If my work lets me order more c6 zo6 brake stuff again I can get the front/rear calipers, rotors and pads for about $1500 or $1600. I will ask when I go back to work if they will let me order anther set. All of it is OEM from GM.
Old 04-04-2006, 06:15 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
here is a pic, still no brackets but you get the idea.

luke

How BIG can i go?-img_1942.jpg
Old 04-04-2006, 06:18 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
And another, pay no attention to the rust, it is just an illusion.

How BIG can i go?-img_1945-edit.jpg
Old 04-04-2006, 06:32 PM
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Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: Juiced 5.0 TBI - 300rwhp
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Eaton Posi, 10 Bolt
Any chance you could measure from the center of the spindle to the furthest most point of the caliper?
Old 04-04-2006, 11:18 PM
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Car: 1989 Firebird
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what size wheels are you going to end up having to run with this setup? Could you get away with running 17's or even 18's?!
Old 04-05-2006, 11:40 AM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
I am going to run an 18" front and rear.
Old 04-05-2006, 01:58 PM
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Car: 89' Iroc-Z G92
Engine: TPI 305 G92
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: Limited 9 bolt, 3.45
anyone have any idea on what the max brake size is that you can run on the stock 1989 16" Iroc Rim...

luke any chance those calipers will fit onto a 12" rotor?
Old 04-05-2006, 03:32 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
I will check a 12" ls1 rotor this weekend at work.
Old 04-05-2006, 05:13 PM
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Axle/Gears: 3.70
i know the 13 inch wilwood setup will fit under 16" iroc rims, not gtas. and the price of the setup is unbeatable, i dont remember what thread i posted it in, but i did a complete run down of price
Old 04-05-2006, 05:24 PM
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Car: 89' Iroc-Z G92
Engine: TPI 305 G92
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: Limited 9 bolt, 3.45
I wanted to pick up some 6 piston caliper baers for the front, but I want to keep my stock wheels.. If I could have baer(they do custom work) make up some 12" rotors for the stock spindles.. (probably around 250-300 a rotor) what else would I need to buy other then the normal brake stuff? brackets, etc.?
Old 04-28-2006, 10:55 PM
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Car: '87 GTA hardtop, '86 IROC hardtop
Engine: 385 DFI, 350 carb
Transmission: T-56, T-5
Axle/Gears: ls1 torsen 10-bolt, 9-bolt disc
the calipers stick out past the hub almost 2" around 1 and 15/16." that might help you on your wheel clearance issue
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